Counseling

The counseling area is a persistently problematic area, and there are surprising statistics of admitted improprieties by ministers in a counseling setting.

Be sure to note that the term counseling has been given broad definition by some courts, including, but not limited to, a telephone call, tarrying after church, talking to a minister, or a young person talking to a youth pastor.

Be sure that you study some good sources on counseling, to understand some boundaries about counseling.

The main point that should be made about counseling is that our ministers must make their counseling spiritual, unless the minister is a licensed professional. Spiritual counseling is defined as based on an understanding of scripture, and not rooted in psychotherapeutic principles.

Be sure that the person you are counseling with understands that you may have to disclose certain facts told to you, such as commission of crimes or a child abuse. Also, counseling should be done only during church hours, with others there. Sessions for counseling should not last over 45 minutes, and the number of sessions a year should be limited.

If one of your ministers sees that he is over his head in a counseling relationship, he should get out of that relationship as soon as possible and refer that person to a qualified and trained professional.